NOIA issues statement on Central Gulf of Mexico sale

The President of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) in the US, Randall Luthi, issued the following statement about the recent Central Gulf of Mexico Consolidated Lease Sale 216-222.

“Our nation needed this sale. A sale of this size signals a strong industry commitment to the Gulf of Mexico and to our Nation’s energy future and to more domestic jobs.

"Director Beaudreau and Secretary Salazar made the effort to have these two sales before the expiry of the five year programme, and industry responded in kind, by stepping up to the plate and hitting a home run for domestic energy production.

"This sale shows the kinds of results we can have when industry and the Federal regulators work together in a cooperative, non-combative manner.

"Close communication is not being cozy, it is being smart. While this sale is a step in the right direction, industry would like the opportunity to lease and explore more areas outside the Gulf of Mexico and industry stands ready to do so quickly and safely.

"A truly all of the above approach to energy production would involve opening up more offshore areas."